The Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (RCOMSDEP), under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, has stepped up efforts to promote responsible and sustainable mining practices with a community outreach initiative in the Savannah Region.
The initiative began with a stakeholder engagement at the forecourt of the Tuntumbawura’s Palace, bringing together representatives from Camp, Cruff, and Tuntumba. The forum focused on educating miners about the benefits of responsible mining, the cooperative mining scheme, and the need to secure legal permits before operating.
Community members expressed frustration over the presence of a large-scale mining company that has held a concession in the area since 2016 without bringing any tangible development to the local people. This, they said, has discouraged many small-scale miners from pursuing legal permits.
National Coordinator of RCOMSDEP, Ing. Frank Asare Pedro, called on miners to embrace the programme’s licensing process, noting that securing a legal permit is crucial in combating illegal mining and minimizing its environmental impact. He explained that RCOMSDEP ’s cooperative model provides miners with a structured pathway to operate legally while contributing to sustainable community development.
The outreach also extended to Dakrupe, where RCOMSDEP engaged the Association of Artisanal Miners. Discussions centered on supporting artisanal miners to transition into responsible, formalized operations. The miners requested assistance with equipment, including pumping machines, and pledged their readiness to collaborate with the programme.
Through these engagements, RCOMSDEP is strengthening government’s vision of making mining a driver of local development rather than a source of environmental destruction. The initiative highlights the Ministry’s broader commitment to building a responsible, inclusive, and sustainable mining sector that benefits communities across the country.
